eMusic Review 0
Following the breakup of his previous band, the Format, singer Nate Ruess needed a new outlet for the plethora of melodies ricocheting around his head. It didn't take long to find one; welding pieces of musical theater, chamber pop, gospel and bombastic '70s balladry to a chassis of contemporary rock, Fun sounds positively jubilant, as it stacks layer upon layer of instruments to increasingly precarious heights.
And yet Aim and Ignite never topples under its sophisticated, ambitious sound. Ebullient tracks like "At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be)" spin like carousels, boring their way into your memory with steel drums, toy piano and bright harmonies. For all of its originality however, their influences can still be heard. "Walk the Dog," starts with a Vampire Weekend guitar lick, adds a fuzzy Cheap Trick bassline, a shot of ELO, a jigger of Motown tambourine and spikes the mix with some synthesizer squeals a la Weezer. Throughout the album, Ruess' distinctive vocals remain front and center, and his earnest lyrics tackle big themes: love, life, death and the passage of time. Balancing serious subjects with buoyant tunes, Fun succeed on their first try; the album could… read more »
